OAR 274-036-0200: Veterans Educational Bridge Grant Program - Purpose

(1) The 2019 Oregon State Legislature passed House Bill 2201 (Chapter 527, Oregon Laws 2019), establishing a Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program (Grant Program) to provide financial assistance to veterans who are unable to complete a degree program within the expected completion period due to the timing of course offerings. (2) The 2023 Oregon State Legislature passed House Bill 2271 (Chapter 303, Oregon Laws 2023) which expands applicant eligibility for the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program. The maximum grant award remains at $5,000 lifetime but eligibility is expanded to include additional programs of study or training, veterans who do not have entitlement to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits, and veterans who have a debt on a student account preventing them from registering for future terms. Language was also updated to be inclusive of eligible non-academic programs including apprenticeships, on-the-job training (OJT), and career schools. (3) The 2026 Oregon State Legislature passed House Bill 4132 which expands eligibility for the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program to include instances of financial hardship for veterans enrolled in eligible academic or training programs. Additionally, the requirement that a veteran prove eligibility for other federal or state financial assistance is eliminated, and the maximum grant award is increased to $10,000 per veteran over a lifetime.